A tense hostage situation in Mumbai’s Powai area ended on Thursday with the death of Rohit Arya, who had held 17 children captive for several hours inside a small film studio. Police said Arya was fatally injured in an exchange of gunfire during the rescue operation.
According to officials, Arya had lured the children, aged 8 to 14, to RA Studios under the pretext of conducting a film “audition.” When police teams arrived following a distress call at 1:45 p.m., Arya brandished an air gun and fired at officers, prompting them to return a single round of fire.
“Arya shot at the police using an air gun, and in response, one round was fired to neutralize the threat,” a senior police officer said.
He was taken to a nearby hospital with gunshot injuries but died during treatment, authorities confirmed.
Police negotiators had initially attempted to talk Arya into releasing the children, but when he began making threats, a Powai police rescue team stormed the studio, breaking in through a bathroom entrance. All 17 children were safely rescued and are being reunited with their families.
Investigators are now looking into Arya’s background and the motive behind the incident. The Mumbai Police Commissioner praised the swift response of officers, crediting their coordination and courage for preventing a potential tragedy.